Determining the exact number of plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) granted worldwide annually is challenging due to variations in reporting practices across jurisdictions. However, available data from major intellectual property offices provide insights into global trends.(ISED Canada)
Global Overview
- Total Titles Granted: As of the end of 2021, over 330,000 PBR titles had been granted across UPOV member countries. Of these, approximately 155,000 were active, while about 188,000 had expired or been surrendered, returning to the public domain. (Seed World)
- Annual Applications: In 2021, the top five jurisdictions accounted for 72.4% of global PBR applications. The European Union’s Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) received 3,480 applications, followed by the United States (1,902), Ukraine (944), and the Netherlands (836). (IP Wave)
Regional Highlights
- European Union (CPVO): Since its establishment in 1995, the CPVO has received approximately 78,000 applications and granted over 62,000 rights, with more than 30,000 currently active. (Wikipedia)
- United States: As of the end of 2021, the U.S. had 28,210 active PBR titles. (IP Wave)
- China: By the end of 2022, China had granted 5,773 PBRs for horticultural crops, with ornamental plants accounting for 2,871 of these. (SpringerLink)
- Canada: In 2022, Canada received 380 PBR applications, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. The majority (296) were from non-residents, with the United States being the top applicant. (ISED Canada)
- Australia: In 2023, Australia saw 151 non-resident PBR applications, a 17.5% decrease from 2022. The United States remained the leading source of these applications. (ipa)
- Israel: In Israel, over the course of 2024, 42 PBR grants occurred.
Summary
While precise global figures for PBRs granted annually are not readily available, data from key jurisdictions indicate that thousands of rights are granted each year. The European Union, United States, and China are among the most active in granting PBRs, reflecting robust plant breeding activities in these regions. Overall, the global trend shows a steady increase in PBR applications and grants, underscoring the importance of plant variety protection in agriculture and horticulture.(IP Wave, SpringerLink)
Find the full series of Plant Breeder’s Rights articles here.
If you have any question about Plant Breeders’ Rights in Israel, please feel free to contact me at Avraham.hermon@jmbdavis.com.
